Acute and preventive pharmacological treatment of post-traumatic headache: a systematic review

Eigil Lindekilde Larsen, Håkan Ashina, Afrim Iljazi, Haidar Muhsen Al-Khazali, Kristoffer Seem, Messoud Ashina, Sait Ashina, Henrik Winther Schytz, Eigil Lindekilde Larsen, Håkan Ashina, Afrim Iljazi, Haidar Muhsen Al-Khazali, Kristoffer Seem, Messoud Ashina, Sait Ashina, Henrik Winther Schytz

Abstract

Background: Post-traumatic headache (PTH) is associated with considerable disability and reduced health-related quality of life. Despite the very high prevalence of PTH, there are no evidence-based guidelines for PTH treatment. Thus, we found it timely to provide a systematic review of the current literature on acute and preventive pharmacological treatment of PTH using PubMed and Embase databases.

Findings: Included studies involved acute and preventive pharmacological treatment of headache attributed to traumatic injury to the head in adherence to the International Classification of Headache Disorders (ICHD) criteria. Of 1424 potentially relevant articles identified, 63 were retrieved for detailed evaluation and seven studies (one prospective and six retrospective) met the inclusion criteria. None of the seven included studies were randomized clinical trials (RCTs) or used a placebo-controlled study design.

Conclusion: We found that there is a lack of high-quality evidence-based studies on the pharmacological treatment of PTH. Future studies are highly needed and must emphasize open-label studies with rigorous methodology or RCTs with a placebo-controlled design.

Keywords: Concussion; Head injury; Post-traumatic headache; Systematic review; Traumatic brain injury; Treatment.

Conflict of interest statement

HWS received speaking fees from Novartis and Teva. SA has received honoraria from Allergan and Teva and consultant fees from Amgen and Allergan. SA received honoraria for lecturing from Allergan and Avanir Pharmaceuticals. MA has received personal fees from Alder BioPharmaceuticals, Allergan, Amgen, Eli Lilly, Novartis, and Teva. MA also participated in clinical trials as the principal investigator for Alder, Amgen, electroCore, Novartis, and Teva. MA also serves as an associate editor of Cephalalgia, associate editor of Headache and co-editor of the Journal of Headache and Pain. MA is President-elect of the International Headache Society, and General Secretary of the European Headache Federation. MA reports research grants from Lundbeck Foundation, Research Foundation of the Capital Region of Copenhagen, and Novo Nordisk Foundation. The other authors declare no conflicts of interest.

Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
Eligibility criteria
Fig. 2
Fig. 2
Flowchart

References

    1. Nampiaparampil DE. Prevalence of chronic pain after traumatic brain injury a systematic review. Clin Corner. 2014;300(6):711–719.
    1. D’Onofrio F, Russo A, Conte F, Casucci G, Tessitore A, Tedeschi G. Post-traumatic headaches: an epidemiological overview. Neurol Sci. 2014;35(SUPPL. 1):203–207. doi: 10.1007/s10072-014-1771-z.
    1. Baandrup L, Jensen R. Chronic post-traumatic headache - a clinical analysis in relation to the international headache classification 2nd edition. Cephalalgia. 2005;25(2):132–138. doi: 10.1111/j.1468-2982.2004.00818.x.
    1. Ashina H, Porreca F, Anderson T, Mohammad Amin F, Ashina M, Winther Schytz, et al. Post-traumatic headache: epidemiology and pathophysiological insights. Nat Rev Neurol. 2019; [Epub ahead of print]
    1. Seifert TD, Evans RW. Posttraumatic headache: a review. Curr Pain Headache Rep. 2010;14(4):292–298. doi: 10.1007/s11916-010-0117-7.
    1. Lucas S. Posttraumatic headache: clinical characterization and management. Curr Pain Headache Rep. 2015;19(10):1–9. doi: 10.1007/s11916-015-0520-1.
    1. Zeeberg P, Olesen J, Jensen R. Efficacy of multidisciplinary treatment in a tertiary referral headache Centre. Cephalalgia. 2005;25(12):1159–1167. doi: 10.1111/j.1468-2982.2005.00980.x.
    1. Headache Classification Committee of the International Headache Society (IHS) The international classification of headache disorders, 3rd edition. Cephalalgia. 2018;38(1):1–211. doi: 10.1177/0333102417738202.
    1. Seeger Trevor A., Orr Serena, Bodell Lisa, Lockyer Lisette, Rajapakse Thilinie, Barlow Karen M. Occipital Nerve Blocks for Pediatric Posttraumatic Headache. Journal of Child Neurology. 2014;30(9):1142–1146. doi: 10.1177/0883073814553973.
    1. Dubrovsky AS, Friedman D, Kocilowicz H. Pediatric post-traumatic headaches and peripheral nerve blocks of the scalp: a case series and patient satisfaction survey. Headache. 2014;54(5):878–887. doi: 10.1111/head.12334.
    1. Friedman Benjamin W., Babbush Kayla, Irizarry Eddie, White Deborah, John Gallagher E. An exploratory study of IV metoclopramide + diphenhydramine for acute post-traumatic headache. The American Journal of Emergency Medicine. 2018;36(2):285–289. doi: 10.1016/j.ajem.2017.10.034.
    1. Chan Steven, Kurowski Brad, Byczkowski Terri, Timm Nathan. Intravenous migraine therapy in children with posttraumatic headache in the ED. The American Journal of Emergency Medicine. 2015;33(5):635–639. doi: 10.1016/j.ajem.2015.01.053.
    1. Cushman DM, Borowski L, Hansen C, Hendrick J, Bushman T, Teramoto M. Gabapentin and Tricyclics in the treatment of post-concussive headache, a retrospective cohort study. Headache. 2019;59(3):371–382. doi: 10.1111/head.13451.
    1. Kuczynski A, Crawford S, Bodell L, Dewey D, Barlow KM. Characteristics of post-traumatic headaches in children following mild traumatic brain injury and their response to treatment: a prospective cohort. Dev Med Child Neurol. 2013;55(7):636–641. doi: 10.1111/dmcn.12152.
    1. Erickson JC. Treatment outcomes of chronic post-traumatic headaches after mild head trauma in us soldiers: an observational study. Headache. 2011;51(6):932–944. doi: 10.1111/j.1526-4610.2011.01909.x.
    1. Macedo A, Farré M, Baños JE. A meta-analysis of the placebo response in acute migraine and how this response may be influenced by some of the characteristics of clinical trials. Eur J Clin Pharmacol. 2006;62(3):161–172. doi: 10.1007/s00228-005-0088-5.
    1. Diener HC, Agosti R, Allais G, Bergmans P, Bussone G, Davies B, et al. Cessation versus continuation of 6-month migraine preventive therapy with topiramate (PROMPT): a randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. Lancet Neurol. 2007;6(12):1054–1062. doi: 10.1016/S1474-4422(07)70272-7.
    1. Silberstein SD, Lipton RB, Dodick DW, Freitag FG, Ramadan N, Mathew N, et al. Efficacy and safety of topiramate for the treatment of chronic migraine: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. Headache. 2007;47(2):170–180. doi: 10.1111/j.1526-4610.2006.00684.x.
    1. Powers SW, Coffey CS, Chamberlin LA, Ecklund DJ, Klingner EA, Yankey JW, et al. Trial of amitriptyline, Topiramate, and placebo for pediatric migraine. N Engl J Med. 2016;376(2):115–124. doi: 10.1056/NEJMoa1610384.
    1. Tassorelli C, Diener HC, Dodick DW, Silberstein SD, Lipton RB, Ashina M, et al. Guidelines of the international headache society for controlled trials of preventive treatment of chronic migraine in adults. Cephalalgia. 2018;38(5):815–832. doi: 10.1177/0333102418758283.
    1. Diener HC, Tassorelli C, Dodick DW, Silberstein SD, Lipton RB, Ashina M, et al. Guidelines of the international headache society for controlled trials of acute treatment of migraine attacks in adults: fourth edition. Cephalalgia. 2019;39(6):687–710. doi: 10.1177/0333102419828967.
    1. Russo A, D’Onofrio F, Conte F, Petretta V, Tedeschi G, Tessitore A. Post-traumatic headaches: a clinical overview. Neurol Sci. 2014;35(SUPPL. 1):153–157. doi: 10.1007/s10072-014-1758-9.

Source: PubMed

Sponsorzy i współpracownicy

Warunki medyczne

Interwencje lekowe

3
Subskrybuj